Hiltron HMAM Systems Chosen For New Satellite Launch Monitoring Installations

Hiltron Communications has been chosen as technology partner in the construction, delivery and integration of three offset batwing satellite antenna systems.

These will be used to monitor the performance of newly launched satellites from various sites around the world.

Each of the new systems incorporates a Hiltron-developed 3.8 metre fully steerable multiband receive/transmit antenna system based on a Challenger Communications reflector plus a Hiltron HMAM motorised antenna mount. The HMAM includes azimuth, elevation and polarisation drives. Operation is via Hiltron's HACU antenna control unit. Combined head and drive systems allow three-axis motorised control with up to 270 degrees of continuous azimuth adjustment, 90 degrees of elevation adjustment and fully adjustable polarisation.

"Now in its 15th year of production and development, HMAM continues to be one of the most successful products in the entire Hiltron portfolio," said Antonio Monteverde, Hiltron Communications' Sales Director. "The combination of a Hiltron HMAM and a Challenger 3.8 metre batwing offset parabolic antenna is especially versatile as the antenna is easier to transport than a one-piece reflector of equivalent size. The batwing elements are assembled at the delivery site and can be installed without a crane. The Challenger 3.8 metre batwing is a particularly good choice of antenna as it has a long focal length giving excellent sidelobe rejection. Also incorporated into each of the new installations is a 4U Hiltron HACUX-IDU remote control panel which allows all parameters of the HACU to be accessed via an integral touchscreen with a browser-style display. The HMAM/HACU system and the use of true angle indicators allow reliable and accurate positioning far beyond the stability of commercial-grade actuator devices."

Hiltron's HMAM motorised antenna mount can move in three different speed modes: slow, medium and fast. In the fast speed mode, the azimuth travel rate reaches five degrees per second and the elevation travel rate is 2.5 degrees per second. The antenna can operate in winds of up to 70 km/h and gusts of 100 km/h. It can also survive winds of up to 160 km/h. Positioning accuracy is within +/- 0.02 degrees (depending on temperature and wind load) and an absolute azimuth and elevation accuracy of +/- 0.1 degrees. High precision construction ensures essentially zero backlash.

The HACU antenna control unit allows up to four axes to be be controlled and moved simultaneously via 28 bit optical SSI encoders. Control is IP-based and can be performed remotely using a web interface. Once a satellite is selected, precise access parameters can be calculated at the press of a single button. The HACU and its associated motor-control electronics are contained in a weatherproofed outdoor housing with a hinged front access port secured by dual key screws. An emergency cutoff switch is accessible from the outside of this housing.

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